JP2635238B2 - Ocean sensor - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an underwater observation sensor connected to a floating body floating on the water surface via a suspension cable so as to reach a predetermined depth and to be in an observable state. The present invention relates to a marine sensor provided with an expansion confirmation device for confirming that the expansion has been completed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a mechanism for extending a marine sensor in water and installing it at a predetermined depth, there is a technique disclosed in, for example, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 55-157780. The extension operation of the used ocean sensor will be described. 11 to 13 are explanatory diagrams showing the configuration and the expanding operation of the conventional ocean sensor, and FIG.
Is the state immediately after falling into the water and starting to expand, (B)
Shows a state in which the sensor is suspended in water, (C) and FIG. 12 show a transient state until the sensor is completely expanded to a predetermined depth, and FIG. 13 shows that the sensor has been fully expanded and observation underwater is possible. The state is shown.

In FIGS. 11 to 13 , 1 is a floating body such as a buoy floating on the water surface, 2 is a suspension cable suspended from the lower surface side of the floating body 1, and 3 is a suspension cable. An underwater observation sensor array having an underwater weight of almost 0 connected to the floating body 1 via the second unit 2 is provided at a predetermined interval as shown in the figure. Reference numeral 4 denotes a cylindrical holder having an upper end closed, and 5 denotes a cylindrical container for storing the holder 4, the sensor array 3 and the suspension cable 2, and the suspension cable 2 is provided outside the holder 4. It is inserted into the container 5 while being wound. Reference numeral 6 denotes a weight provided at the bottom of the container 5, reference numeral 7 denotes a sea chute stored in the weight 6, reference numeral 8 denotes a cable retaining mechanism for temporarily holding the suspension cable 2 at a predetermined length, Before use, they are assembled as follows.

[0004] First, for housing the sea chute 7 after engaged with the lower end portion of the sensor array 3, the sensor array 3 as seen in the holder 4 in Figure 11 (A). When the sensor array 3 is suspended under water through the end of the suspension cable 2 through the upper end of the holder 4, the holder 4 is locked to the suspension cable 2 at a position above the sensor array 3. Then, the suspension cable 2 is wound around the outside of the holder 4 to form a pack. When the suspension cable 2 is wound around the holder 4, a position of a predetermined length is locked by the cable retaining mechanism 8 during winding. When these are stored in the container 5 and the weight 6, the sea chute 7 is first inserted into the weight 6 at the bottom of the container 5, and the suspended suspension cable 2 and the cable Detention mechanism 8, sensor array 3
When the holding tool 4 is housed in the container 5 and integrated therewith, and is further housed under the floating body 1, a marine sensor is formed.

Next, a description will be given of the extension action of the ocean sensor having the above-described configuration. When the sensor array 3 and the holder 4 are released into the water from the floating body 1 integrally with the container 5 as shown in FIG. Due to the weight of the weight 6 and the suspension cable 2, the suspension cable 2 falls underwater at a high speed with a small cable feeding force with little load applied thereto, and the suspension cable wound around the outside of the holder 4 accordingly. 2 is unwound, and it is sequentially fed out. At this time, the sensor array 3, the holder 4 and the sea chute 7 housed in the container 5 have a high falling speed,
This makes it possible to drop together with the container 5 without detaching from the container.

When the suspension cable 2 wound around the holder 4 is extended to a position where the suspension cable 8 is locked by the cable retaining mechanism 8, the extension of the suspension cable 2 is stopped. For this reason, the holder 4 connected to the suspension cable 2 and the sea chute 7 also stop falling, but the container 5 housing the holder 4
Is not connected to the holder 4, the container 5 and the weight 6
Continues to fall by its own weight. As a result, the holder 4 is pulled out of the container 5, and at the same time, the sensor array 3 starts discharging from the holder 4 by its own weight. Container 5 during this time
Continues to fall, separates from the sensor array 3, and further drops, thereby releasing the sea chute 7 locked at the lower end of the sensor array 3 as shown in FIG.
It falls along with the weight 6.

[0007] Thus, the sensor array 3 and the sea chute 7 are suspended at the first predetermined position by the cable retaining mechanism 8. At this time, since the underwater weight of the sensor array 3 and the sea chute 7 is almost 0, the sensor array 3 and the sea chute 7 are suspended at the suspended position. In such a state, as shown in FIG. 4C, when the floating body 1 is caused to flow by wind or blowing flow, for example, when the floating body 1 is caused to flow in the direction of arrow a in the figure, the sea chute 7 receives the drag, and It is lifted in the direction of the middle arrow b. Thereafter, when a predetermined time elapses, the cable retaining mechanism 8 releases the suspension of the suspension cable 2 by means not shown, so that the suspension cable 2 wound around the holder 4 starts to be fed out again, As shown in FIG. 12 , the holder 4 further falls. When all the suspension cables 2 outside the holder 4 are drawn out, the holder 4 is stopped by the suspension cable 2 and is suspended at a predetermined depth set in advance.

Therefore, the one located above the sensor array 3, that is, the one placed near the holder 4,
As the holder 4 falls, the holder 4 is pulled down by the holder 4 to a predetermined depth. However, since the sensor array 3 and the sea chute 7 have almost zero weight in water, the sensor array 3 located below and close to the sea chute 7 side is firstly suspended by the cable retaining mechanism 8. Floating near the lower position, the floating body 1 is about to be lifted upward by the drag of the sea chute 7 as it is swept away by wind or blowing current. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 12 , the sensor array 3 has a mountain-like shape with the vertex near the center.

[0009] After that, as the floating body 1 continues to flow, the sensor array 3 and the sea chute 7 below the holder 4 tend to lift, and the sensor array in the central part which is mountainous. 3 is a holder 4 and a sea chute 7
To lower the holding fixture 4 to the suspended depth. As a result, as shown in FIG. 13 , all the sensor arrays 3 and the sea chute 7 connected to the end point of the sensor array 3 are finally held by the holder 4.
It will be spread horizontally at the same depth as. In this way, when the sensor array 3 is completely expanded in the horizontal state, underwater observation by the ocean sensor becomes possible.

[0010]

However, in the above-mentioned prior art, the sensor array is first spread vertically in the water, and then is spread horizontally by the resistance of the sea chute due to wind or blowing current. You will step on it. The wind and the blowing current largely depend on the weather and the like at that time, and it is difficult to accurately predict the time until the vertical sensor array shifts to the horizontal state.
Therefore, it was not possible to know when the expansion from the vertical state to the horizontal state was completed.

For this reason, conventionally, a predetermined time from when the ocean sensor is installed in the water to when useful underwater observation data by the sensor array is obtained is set at a predetermined time when it is determined that the sensor array is horizontally extended, Until this time has elapsed, the user has to wait for the operation of collecting data, or discard the observation data from the sensor array obtained up to the predetermined time. As a result, useful data could not be obtained, or even if obtained, it could not be determined whether or not the data was observed after the horizontal state was reached. In addition, accurate information cannot be obtained, and the efficiency of information collection has been reduced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and has been made in view of the fact that an ocean sensor is installed underwater, a sensor array is suspended, and the expansion from a vertical state to a horizontal state is completed. The objective is to provide a marine sensor that can accurately and efficiently obtain observation data by recognizing, cutting off the data before the horizontal state, and obtaining only the data after the horizontal state. I do.

[0013]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention makes it possible to know a state where a sensor array has been expanded horizontally from a state where the sensor array has been expanded vertically. In other words, the cylindrical holder holding the sensor array is dropped from the floating body into the water via the suspension cable, and the sensor array that has been pulled out substantially vertically downward from the holder by this drop is placed in a horizontal state. In a marine sensor to be extended, a tension confirmation device that can obtain measurement data that can confirm that the sensor array has been completely extended in a horizontal direction by a tension applied to the sensor array when the sensor array is extended in a horizontal direction from a vertical state. To
It is arranged between the holder and the sensor array. In addition, a stretching confirmation device that confirms the completion of the stretching of the sensor array to the horizontal state can measure the depth of the sensor array, and this stretching confirmation device is arranged at least at both ends and a plurality of locations at the center of the sensor array. It was decided that.

[0014]

According to the above construction, when the sensor array is extended from the holder and moved from a state of being substantially vertically spread in water to a horizontal state, the water of the sea chute attached to the end of the sensor array is moved. Tension is generated in the sensor array by the resistance force. The tension applied to the sensor array is measured by attaching the extension confirmation device to the same cable holding member as the sensor array. The tension applied to the sensor array until the sensor array changes from the vertical state to the horizontal state has characteristics according to each situation, and when the expansion is completed, the tension applied to the sensor array increases rapidly. After that, it is possible to obtain peculiar data that becomes constant after that, thereby confirming that the expansion is completed.

[0015] Also, when measuring the depth of the sensor array, the sensor array exhibits characteristics corresponding to a state where the sensor array is extended vertically and a state where the sensor array is horizontal. That is, in the vertically expanded state, the data of the expansion confirmation devices provided at a plurality of locations are greatly different from each other, and as the data gradually moves from here to the horizontal state, the data measures closer values. And
When this data falls within the predetermined approximate value range, it can be confirmed that the expansion has been completed. Because of this, it is possible to know that the sensor array has been spread horizontally, so that the underwater observation data of the sensor array can always obtain only valid results.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 are explanatory diagrams showing a configuration and an expanding operation of a marine sensor according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
(A) is the state immediately after being dropped into the water and starting to expand,
(B) is a state in which the sensor is suspended in water, (C) and FIG.
Is the transient state until the sensor is fully expanded to the specified depth,
FIG. 3 shows a state where the extension of the sensor is completed and underwater observation is possible. FIG. 4 is a graph showing the relationship between the tension applied to the load cell and the time from the start to the end of the expansion operation of the sensor array in the ocean sensor.
(A) to ( C) in FIG. 2 and FIGS. 2 and 3 . Note that, in these figures, the same reference numerals are given to those substantially similar to the prior art,
Here, the description is omitted.

1 to 3 , reference numeral 9 denotes a load cell provided between the holder 4 on the cable connecting the plurality of sensor arrays 3 and the top of the sensor array 3.
This load cell 9 serves as an expansion confirmation device. That is, the load cell 9 can measure the tension between the sensor array 3 and the holder 4, and transmits the tension data together with the underwater observation data obtained by the sensor array 3 to the floating body 1 through the suspension cable 2. To be sent to The components of the ocean sensor to which the load cell 9 is added are assembled as described below, almost as in the prior art.

First, the sea chute 7 is attached to the end of the sensor array 3 as in the conventional case. The load cell 9 according to the present invention attaches the load cell 9 to the starting end of the cable supporting the sensor array 3, that is, the position that becomes the upper end when the sensor array 3 is vertically extended in water. The load cell 9 is connected to the holder 4. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 1 (A), the sensor array 3 and the load cell 9 are stored in the holder 4 such that the load cell 9 is at the top in the order of suspension under water.

The following assembly is the same as in the prior art, that is, the sensor array 3 is suspended in water by passing the end of the suspension cable 2 through the upper end of the holder 4 containing the sensor array 3 and the load cell 9. When the holder 4 is
At a position above the suspension cable 2. Then, the suspension cable 2 is wound around the outside of the holder 4 to be integrally packed with the holder 4. In addition,
When the suspension cable 2 is wound around the holder 4, a position of a predetermined length is locked by the cable retaining mechanism 8 during the winding. Next, these are put into the container 5 and the weight 6
In order to store it inside, first, the sea chute 7 is first inserted into the weight 6 at the bottom of the container 5, and the suspended cable 2, the cable retaining mechanism 8, the sensor array 3, and the The holder 4 is housed in the container 5 to be integrated, and this is further housed under the floating body 1. Thus, an ocean sensor is configured.

Next, the operation of the load cell 9 associated with the extension operation of the ocean sensor having the above configuration will be described. By means of discharge means (not shown) provided in the floating body 1,
1 As shown in FIG.
Load cell 9, holder 4 and sea chute 7 are floating body 1
Is released into the water. Due to their own weight and the weight of the weight 6, the suspension cable 2 falls at a high speed underwater with a small cable feeding force with little load applied to the suspension cable 2, and is accordingly wound around the outside of the holder 4. The hanging cable 2 that has been unwound is unreeled and sequentially fed out. At this time, the sensor array 3, the load cell 9, the holder 4 and the sea chute 7 housed in the container 5 are sucked into the container 5 because the falling speed of the container 5 is high. Without falling off from inside, they can fall together. The tension on the load cell 9 during this fall, shown in FIG. 4 (A)
As shown in the figure, there is almost no participation.

When the suspension cable 2 wound around the outside of the holder 4 is extended to a position where it is locked by the cable retaining mechanism 8, the extension of the suspension cable 2 is stopped, and the suspension 4 is stopped. And the fall of the sea chute 7 also stops. However, since the container 5 is not connected to the holder 4, the container 5 and the weight 6 continue to fall by their own weight, whereby the holder 4 is pulled out of the container 5, whereby the sensor array 3 and the load cell 9 are removed. Starts to be released from the holder 4 by its own weight. At this time, a tension is applied to the load cell 9 when the sensor array 3 is pulled out from the container 5. Subsequently, the container 5 is first separated from the load cell 9, then separated from the sensor array 3, and further dropped, so that the sea chute 7 locked to the lower end of the sensor array 3 as shown in FIG. , And fall with the weight 6.

At this time, a tension is applied to the load cell 9 when the sea chute 7 is pulled out. The tension is
As shown in FIG. 4 (B), from the state of tension 0 (A), rapidly applied tension, the load cell 9, the sensor array 3, the after sea chute 7 is pulled all tension original Return to the state of 0. By detecting this curved state, it can be seen that everything in the holder 4 has been pulled out.

In this way, the sensor array 3, the load cell 9 and the sea chute 7 are suspended at the first predetermined position by the cable retaining mechanism 8. At this time, since the underwater weight of the sensor array 3 and the sea chute 7 is almost 0, the sensor array 3 and the sea chute 7 are suspended at the suspended position. Not the tension is applied to the load cell 9 in this state, FIG. 4 (C)
It becomes 0 as shown in FIG. In a state where the sensor array 3 and the sea chute 7 are floating in the water, FIG.
As shown in (C), when the floating body 1 is caused to flow by wind or blowing flow, for example, starts to flow in the direction of arrow a in the figure, the sea chute 7 receives the drag, and the sensor array 3 is cooperated with the arrow b in FIG. Lift in the direction. Thereafter, when a predetermined time elapses, a cable retaining mechanism 8 is provided by means not shown.
Releases the suspension of the suspension cable 2 so that the holder 4
When the suspension cable 2 wound around the suspension cable 2 starts to be extended again and the holder 4 further falls as shown in FIG. 2 and the suspension cable 2 is fully extended, the holder 4 is attached to the suspension cable 2. It is stopped and suspended at a predetermined depth set so as to be finally suspended.

For this reason, those positioned above the sensor array 3, that is, those positioned so as to be located near the holder 4, are moved along with the fall of the holder 4.
To be lowered to a predetermined depth. Therefore, at this time, a tension for pulling down the sensor array 3 is applied to the load cell 9. As shown in FIG. 4 of FIG. 4, a slightly stronger tension is suddenly applied than in the case of (B), and the tension is maintained for a short time. When the extension of the suspension cable 2 is completed, the tension is sharply increased again. And the tension returns to zero.

In the extension operation of the suspension cable 2 after the cable retaining mechanism 8, the holder 4 drops, but the sensor array 3 located below the sea chute 7 side has almost zero underwater weight. Therefore, it floats near the first suspension position where it is first suspended along with the sea chute 7, and will be lifted upward by the drag of the sea chute 7 as the floating body 1 is swept away by wind or blowing current. And Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 2 , the sensor array 3 has a mountain-like shape with the vertex near the center. The state at this time is the state of zero tension described above.

After that, as the floating body 1 continues to flow, the sensor array 3 and the sea chute 7 below the holder 4 tend to lift, and the sensor array in the central part where the mountain is formed. 3 is a holder 4 and a sea chute 7
To lower the holding fixture 4 to the suspended depth. As a result, the drag of the sea chute 7 starts to be gradually applied to the load cell 9, and the tension increases. Finally, as shown in FIG. 3 , all the sensor arrays 3 and the sea chute 7 connected to the end of the sensor array 3 are horizontally extended at the same depth as the holder 4. Become. In this state, as shown in FIG. 3 of FIG. 4, a strong tension is gradually applied from the state of zero tension, which has been drifting. When the tension reaches a certain value and then becomes constant, it is understood that the sensor array 3 has become horizontal.

As described above, since the tension applied to the load cell 9 changes in accordance with the movement of the sensor array 3 as shown in FIG. 4 , the movement of the sensor array 3 can be known by reading this. . In particular, since the change in tension when the sensor array 3 is at a horizontal position and the expansion is completed is peculiar as described above, the completion of the expansion can be easily recognized. In addition, since the tension of the load cell 9 indicates the above-described change, it is possible to recognize the completion of the expansion by directly reading the tension by hand, and of course, an apparatus for recognizing the data pattern of the tension change instead of manually. Obviously, it is also possible to incorporate the sensor array 3 in the ocean sensor and notify the completion of the expansion of the sensor array 3 by this device.

In the above-described embodiment, the load cell 9 is provided between the holder 4 and the sensor array 3, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in the explanatory diagrams of other embodiments shown in FIGS.
Even if the expansion is completed without being separated from the holder 4 with the expansion of the sensor array 3, the sensor array 3 may remain inside the holder 4, or the holder 4 may be provided with a water-resistant case, The load cell 9 may be provided in this case, and this does not cause a change in the above-described tension recognition operation.

Next, as a second embodiment, an example will be described in which an expansion confirmation device for recognizing completion of expansion of the sensor array 3 is used. Instead of the load cell 9 of the first embodiment described above, a case where a pressure sensor that measures the depth of a predetermined number of locations of the sensor array 3 and compares the measured depths to recognize the completion of the expansion is used . It will be described below with reference to FIG. 10. It should be noted that the second embodiment shown in the figure does not include the cable retaining mechanism 8, and the description will be made by omitting the operation and action associated with the cable retaining mechanism 8.

[0030]8 to 10Is a marine cell showing the second embodiment.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration and an expanding operation of the sensor;FIG.
(A) is the state immediately after being dropped into the water and starting to expand,
(B) is a state where the sensor is suspended in water, and (C) is a horizontal state.
Until the sensor array is fully expanded to the specified depth
Status,FIG.Is underwater after the horizontal sensor array
This shows a state in which observation is possible.FIG.Is ocean water
Until the start of the expansion operation on the flat sensor array is completed
Between pressure data measured by multiple pressure sensors and time
FIG.FIG.(A) in
(C), and FIG.Up to the stage. What
In these figures, almost the same as those in the first embodiment.
Are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

8 and 9 , reference numeral 10 denotes a pressure sensor having a weight of 0 in water disposed at a plurality of predetermined positions of the sensor array 3;
And three locations in the center. The pressure sensor 10 is located at the installed position, that is, the sensor array 3
The water depth at the upper and lower ends and the central part can be measured by measuring the water pressure. The plurality of pressure sensors 10 together with the underwater observation data obtained by the sensor array 3 can be measured.
Is transmitted to the floating body 1 through the suspension cable 2. The components of the ocean sensor provided with the pressure sensor 10 are assembled almost in the same manner as in the first embodiment before use.

That is, first, the sea chute 7 is attached to the end side of the sensor array 3. The pressure sensor 10 according to the present embodiment is attached to the cable supporting the sensor array 3 at three points, ie, the starting end and the end, and at the center, and the pressure on the starting end (the upper end in the figure). The sensor 10 is connected to the holder 4, and thereafter, the pressure sensor 10 and the sensor array 3 are connected as shown in FIG.
They are stored in the holder 4 in the order in which they are suspended in water.

After the pressure sensor 10 and the sensor array 3 are housed in the holder 4, the upper end of the holder 4 is passed through the end of the suspension cable 2, and the sensor array 3 and the pressure sensor 10
Is suspended on the suspension cable 2 at a position above the sensor array 3 and the pressure sensor 10 when it is suspended in the water, and is wound around the outside of the retainer 4. Then, it is packaged together with the holder 4. next,
When this is stored in the container 5 and the weight 6, the sea chute 7 is first inserted into the weight 6 at the bottom of the container 5, and the suspension cable 2, the sensor array 3, and the pressure When the sensor 10 and the holder 4 are housed and integrated in the container 5 and further housed in the lower part of the floating body 1, an ocean sensor including the pressure sensor 10 is configured.

Next, the operation of the pressure sensor 10 associated with the above-described operation of extending the ocean sensor will be described. The operation of extending the ocean sensor is basically substantially the same as the operation of the first embodiment except for the operation associated with the cable retaining mechanism 8, and thus the overlapping parts will be described in a simplified manner. First, as shown in FIG. 8A , the sensor array 3, the pressure sensor 10, the holder 4, and the sea chute 7 are released into the water from the floating body 1 integrally with the container 5, and then, as shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, these are gradually separated from each other, and when the suspension of the suspension cable 2 is completed, the holder 4, the pressure sensor 10, the sensor array 3, and the sea chute 7 are extended vertically in the water. Is done.

In this state, as shown in FIG. 3C, when the floating body 1 receives the wind or the blowing flow and starts to flow, the sea chute 7 receives the drag, and the sensor array 3 and the pressure sensor 10 are received. Together, they are lifted in the direction of the arrow b in the figure , and finally, as shown in FIG. 9 , all the sensor arrays 3, the pressure sensors 10 installed at both ends and the center of the sensor array 3, and the sea chute 7 Is spread horizontally at the same depth as the holder 4.

FIG. 10 shows the pressure applied to the pressure sensor 10 in this expanding operation. As can be seen, in the state of FIG.
0 to drop all together with the container 5 together, since the pressure sensor 10 measures the pressure of the same depth, indicates the same value as shown in FIG. 10 (A). And FIG.
As shown in (B), when the sensor array 3 is extended vertically, each sensor array 3 starts measuring the pressure at the depth of its own position. Therefore, the result is as shown in FIG . Then, due to the generation of the drag of the sea chute 7 due to the movement of the floating body 1, the sensor array 3 gradually approaches the horizontal state as shown in FIG. 8C . Along with this, the pressures measured by the pressure sensors 10 also decrease, and finally, when the sensor array 3 is all extended horizontally as shown in FIG. 9 , all the pressure sensors 10 all have the same pressure. As shown. This state is as shown in FIG. 9 of FIG .

As described above, each pressure sensor 10 changes in accordance with the movement of the sensor array 3, and by reading this, it is possible to know the movement of the sensor array 3 as in the first embodiment. When the three pressures fall within the range of F, the completion of the expansion of the sensor array 3 can be recognized assuming that the expansion has been completed. In particular, when the pressure initially showed the same value, the pressure difference spread, and the sensor array 3
Is characterized by the fact that the pressures of the three pressure sensors 10 become substantially the same again when the horizontal position is reached and the expansion is completed, so that the completion of the expansion can be easily recognized.

Since the water depth data due to the pressure of the pressure sensor 10 shows the above-described change, it is possible to recognize the completion of the expansion by reading it directly by hand, as in the first embodiment. Instead of this, a device for recognizing the data pattern of the change in tension is incorporated in the marine sensor, and this device uses the sensor array 3.
Obviously, it is also possible to notify that the deployment has been completed.

【The invention's effect】

As described above, according to the present invention, the cylindrical holder housing the sensor array is dropped from the floating body into the water via the suspension cable, and the fall causes the cylindrical holder to move substantially downward from the holder. In the ocean sensor which extends the sensor array extended in the vertical direction in the horizontal state, the tension applied to the sensor array when the sensor array expands in the horizontal direction from the vertical state causes the sensor array to be completely expanded in the horizontal direction. An expansion check device capable of obtaining checkable measurement data was arranged between the holder and the sensor array. For this reason, by reading the observation data from this expansion confirmation device, it can be easily recognized that the expansion of the sensor array in the horizontal state has been completed. Therefore, it is possible to easily determine the observation data when the expansion to the horizontal state is not completed and the useful observation data when the expansion is completed. Therefore, only useful observation data can be obtained reliably and efficiently.

Further, the expansion confirmation device can measure the depth of the sensor array, and the expansion confirmation devices are arranged at least at both ends and at a plurality of locations at the center of the sensor array. Thereby, it is possible to easily recognize that the sensor array has been expanded to the horizontal state, and to easily determine observation data before and after the sensor array is expanded to the horizontal state. Only reliable observation data can be obtained reliably and efficiently.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration and a spreading operation of an ocean sensor according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration and a spreading operation of the ocean sensor according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration and a spreading operation of the ocean sensor according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a graph showing the relationship between the tension applied to the load cell and the time from the start to the completion of the extension operation of the sensor array in the ocean sensor.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing a configuration and an expanding operation of a marine sensor showing another embodiment in which a load cell is arranged in a holder.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing a configuration and a spreading operation of a marine sensor showing another embodiment in which a load cell is arranged in a holder.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing a configuration and a spreading operation of a marine sensor showing another embodiment in which a load cell is arranged in a holder.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration and a spreading operation of a marine sensor according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration and a spreading operation of a marine sensor according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a graph showing a relationship between pressure applied to a plurality of pressure sensors and time until the start of the expansion operation of the sensor array in the ocean sensor is completed.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration and a spreading operation of a conventional ocean sensor.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration and a spreading operation of a conventional ocean sensor.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration and a spreading operation of a conventional ocean sensor.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Floating body 2 Hanging cable 3 Sensor array 4 Holder 7 Sea chute 9 Load cell 10 Pressure sensor

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Takayasu Ito 1-7-12 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd. (56) References JP-A-2-52273 (JP, A) JP Hei 2-130423 (JP, A) JP-A 2-136923 (JP, U) JP 7-107520 (JP, B2) JP 7-52586 (JP, Y2)

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A cylindrical holder holding a sensor array is dropped from a floating body into water via a suspension cable,
In a marine sensor that extends a sensor array that has been extended substantially vertically downward from the holder by this drop in a horizontal state, the sensor array uses a tension applied to the sensor array when the sensor array extends horizontally from a vertical state. An ocean sensor, wherein an expansion confirmation device that can obtain measurement data that can confirm that the array has completed expansion in the horizontal direction is disposed between the holder and the sensor array. 2. The marine sensor according to claim 1, wherein an expansion confirmation device is disposed in the holder. 3. The marine sensor according to claim 1, wherein the expansion confirmation device is disposed in a water-resistant case provided in the holder. 4. A cylindrical holder holding a sensor array is dropped from a floating body into water via a suspension cable,
In a marine sensor, in which the sensor array extended substantially vertically downward from the holder by this drop is extended in a horizontal state, the sensor array is determined by the depth of the sensor array when the sensor array extends in the horizontal direction from the vertical state. A marine sensor, comprising: a plurality of expansion confirmation devices that can obtain measurement data for confirming that expansion has been completed in the horizontal direction, at least at both ends and a central portion of the sensor array.